Author: Auntie Blues

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, So Romantic & Sweet! But maybe your sweetie is already “too sweet” (i.e., diabetic or pre-diabetic)… or maybe you’re trying to lose weight, or live a low-carb lifestyle. Or maybe you’re just not in the mood to be the victim of highway robbery–have you seen the prices on these things at the stores? Anyway, I’m about to show you how to make beautiful, low carb chocolate dipped strawberries (as well as regular ones) for Valentine’s Day–or any day! This is so easy...

Happy New Year! Hopefully! I mean… I heard the news today, oh boy…. and then I cried. Honestly, it really, really gets me down. I’ve had to place myself on a News Diet just so I don’t wind up with Rudolph nose and eyes that make Niagra Falls look like a minor faucet leak. One of the ways I (try to!) keep my head on straight is Art Journaling. Is it just me, or is time passing at warp speed? It’s been a while...

I met him on the internet. I was searching for a toy poodle and when I stumbled across Guapo’s picture, I was immediately smitten. You know how it is with Internet Love. Distance is no object. I didn’t let the fact that he was from Lexington, Kentucky and I lived in the suburbs of Chicago stand between us. True love knows no bounds. I was a corporate travel agent at the time, and one of the perks of my job was free...

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Everything. Suddenly you think more about the people you love, about showing you love them, about spending more time with them. Tomorrow is only something we hope will come. It’s not guaranteed.

Soooo, long time no see. I have been in absentia for quite a while, haven’t I? Ugh. I put so much heart & soul into creating this blog and then… I neglected it. Poor little blog! I loved you fiercely and with abandon, then suddenly and without warning, I just… dumped you. But why????? I’ll tell you why. Have you ever dated someone that you really, really liked, and because you liked them SO much, you altered yourself drastically to fit the image of...

Have you heard of the Gelli Plate? It’s amazing, fun and totally addictive! You can quickly create beautiful prints for use in all your arts and crafts–scrapbooks, collages, card making, wrapping paper, wall art, ATCs (artist trading cards)… the list is endless.

One of the things I love about Chicago (aka the homeland) is the abundance of ethnic restaurants. My husband, who is of Czech (Bohemian!) descent, especially loved the Czech restaurants and bakeries, and really missed the food when we moved to California in 2004–especially those authentic Bohemian (Czech) yeast-raised bread dumplings! There were NO Czech restaurants, although we DID find a bar out in Redondo Beach, about a 50 mile drive, that served Bohemian food, including some pretty decent bread dumplings. I was...

I’m not very traditional. Curtains have never appealed to me as a window treatment. My decorating style–if you can call it “style”– leans toward the kitschy and colorful. My home is painted in mostly neutral colors, so I’ve spiced up my living room with bright throw pillows, vivid art, floral feathery stuff and Mid-Century Modern ceramics. That took care of the wall containing our fireplace, entertainment nook and built-in bookshelves. Since it’s an open floor plan, the only other wall is taken up...

How to Make My DIY Dog Bed / Futon Cheap & Fast. He IS the puppy love of my life, and I like him to have nice things. While he does own several really cute little pet beds, his favorites seem to be the ones I’ve made for him…

Low Carb Spinach Gnudi When I was growing up, my Mom used to make home made ravioli. I remember helping her make the dough, fill it, pinch it & cut it into squares using a special little roller with a zig-zagged edge (like pinking shears). MAAAAN, were they good with that homemade “Sunday Gravy” that would simmer on the stove for hours on end, filling the house with the enticing smell of tomatoes, herbs and garlic. Since I have to watch my...